Looking for a great gift for clients

Christmas is less than 40 days away.  Have you decided what to get your clients yet for gifts?  This year I have decided to give prepaid credit cards as holiday gifts to my top clients and business partners.  Every year I struggle with coming up with the perfect gift and I always fall short.  This year I think I discovered a great solution.  Who wouldn’t want a prepaid card to buy anything they wanted, from clothes to dinner or even put it towards a vacation.  I know gift cards are big but I think this solution makes more sense because I do not have to figure out what the person wants.  Just because I like Outback Steakhouse doesn’t mean my clients will.  I know if I had the choice I would want a general card versus a specific one to a store or restaurant.

Just wanted to pass along this tip for those of you still trying to figure out what to buy.  On a non career related note, I will also be loading up on prepaid cards for my family and friends.  I know my dad will like it much better than the sweater that I get him that I have yet to see him ever wear.

looking for free resume builder templates?

Many of my regular readers know that I am professional career coach and write resumes for a living.  I understand that not everyone is willing to spend several hundred dollars for a professioanlly written resume.

For those people who are more inclined to write their own resume but are looking for an easy and free tool to help, I have a great site to share with you.

I have been recommending and directing people to this resume builder website.  Here you can easily build your resume in a matter of minutes.  This site is set up to be a one top shot for all your resume writing needs.  You can find free resume templates to help you create a customized winning resume.  What I really like about this site is what you can do after you build your resume.  They have several different options for you distribute your resume to recruiters and employers.  You can email, fax or post to online job boards.

Another great option is that you can actually monitor and track how many people visit your resume and they make it very easy for employers to communicate with you and send you an email message.

If you are in the job market right now, you know how important it is to make a good first impression with your resume.  I recommend that you take a look at this site and spend a couple of minutes sprucing up your resume and at the very least stop by and read some of their useful resume tips.

Still looking for a job? check out Employment Crossing

With unemployment creeping into the double digits, it is understandably difficult to find a job these days.  I am sure that you have been looking online in the usual places like Monster, Career Builder and Hot Jobs.  I am sure you have even checked out some niche job boards related to your profession.  I want to introduce you to a new type of job board that may be able to help you tremendously.

The site is called Employment Crossing and they are different then the big 3 boards.  What they do is actually research all of the available employment opportunities that are available online and organize them in a single place on their site.  This this save you hours of time and it will also display some career opportunities that you have never seen or would never see if it was not for there site.  They actually have a team of researchers that aggregate jobs from all of the job boards in the United States as well as virtually all of the corporate career sites of the individual companies in the Fortune 1000.  They are adding close to 100,000 new jobs per day to the site and they have over 2 million jobs in their system.

Like I mentioned, this site is different from Monster and Career Builder in that they allow companies to post for free and they charge the candidate a nominal fee for access to all the jobs.  The cool part is there is a free 7 day trial so you can check it out and see if it will work for you.  My thoughts are that the fee is certainly worth it just int the time you will save and if you land on a job it will be priceless!

If you want to check out the site and learn more, I am providing a link here to some EmploymentCrossing Reviews where you can learn more.

Good Luck and let me know if this worked for you..

Best Linkedin Groups for Jobseekers

Last month I wrote a post about using Linkedin to find a new job. I wanted to dig a little deeper and in this article I wanted to introduce to the top 10 groups to join if you are looking for a job. Most people know what Linkedin is all about, but not everyone is familiar with the group. There are thousands of groups that you can join once you are a member of Linkedin. Most of these groups are centered around professions, interests, and colleges. They are a great tool for networking and meeting people with similar interests. There are also groups that exist for the sole purpose of allowing job seekers and those with job openings to connect. If you are using Linkedin and not using the group feature, you are missing out. Here are the top 10 groups to join for job seekers.

1. JobAngels –This is one of the best and targets. JobAngels is a non-profit job search network of professionals helping other professionals opportunities. They also have a big following on Twitter.
2. Executive Suite – Great community for executive level job seekers.
3. Star:Candidate for Hire – This is the largest and best group to join bar none.
4. The Talent Buzz - Group of job seekers and recruiters..
5. Career Change Central – The largest and best group for those seeking advice and contacts during a career transition.
6. Jobs Alert - Job search group targeting management level candidates.
7. Indeed.com - Official job search group on LinkedIn for Indeed.com, the largest job aggregator on the web.
8. Project: Get Hired! – If you are looking for a support group during your job search, this is the place.
9. Job Search Help - group for job seekers sharing advice and leads and networking. This is a very helpful and supportive group..
10. B2B Reps- Discussion and networking forum for sales reps and sales recruiters. This is a must if you are in sales.

Why train the trainer courses are important?

One of the fastest growing occupations in business today is corporate and professional trainers.  Companies recognize that training offers a way of developing skills, enhancing productivity and quality of work, and building worker engagement and satisfaction and most importantly, increasing individual and organizational performance to achieve business results.

However some companies fail to recognize the importance of training the trainer.  The wise organizations realize that a trainer needs to excel is two separate skill sets.  They need to have exhibit knowledge of the topic they are teaching.  They also need to be well versed in delivering and transferring that information to the students.

When instructors are brought in to teach adults, they need to have both types of skills.  Unfortunately too many corporations just assume that if someone is knowledgeable in their field they will also be good at teaching others.  This is often not the case, as most of these subject matter experts have not been taught how to teach.  This is why it is so important that organizations of all sizes invest in train the trainer courses to help their experts become expert teachers and facilitators as well.  One type of course that trainers can go through is called PTLLS Courses and they are designed for people who wish to teach and train adults.  These courses provide teaching theory and build up knowledge of the principles of learning.  These classes also help develop their own communication and interpersonal skills.

In closing, it is encouraging that most companies understand the importance of training and developing.  The companies that will thrive are the ones that understand how important it is to make sure that heir trainers are trained to the best they can be.

Advantages of Sales Training for New Sales Reps

I just finished reading a jobs report that claimed that sales jobs are among the most stable positions right now even in a down economy.  Many laid off workers are securing jobs as sales people and this in turn is creating a need for professional sales training.  Companies that offer strong training programs for these newly turned sales professionals will have a distinct edge over their competition.

Sales training can benefit your sales force on so many different levels.  Sales is not just about getting clients and taking orders, there is follow up skills, time management, prospecting skills and customer service skills involved as well.  Communication is one of the key factors of being a successful sales person.  Sales training can assist your sales force in communicating with a wide variety of clients from consumers to CEO’s.

Another major factor for sales success is presentation skills.  Public speaking is one of the biggest fears for people and learning to effectively deliver a presentation is critical to your sales career.  Presentation skills training can help you by teaching you how to control your nerves and anxiety, using proper body language and gestures and how to engage your audience.  Presentation skills training is vital for new sales reps as it will provide proper technique and confidence that is needed to close the sale.

In my opinion, good sales training is what separates good sales people from great sales people and good companies from great companies.  With such an influx of new sales talent, companies of all sizes should consider investing in sales training as it will benefit everyone involved.  Think about it, everyone wins, the sales person, the company and the customer.

Does your resume have a theme?

As a professional resume writer, I have noticed that one of the biggest mistakes that candidates make is not having a theme.  What I mean by this is that your resume has to tell a story.  This story has to be relevant to the job you are going after.

Theme and cohesive flow of your resume is one of the most critical factors for employment candidacy traction, if not the most important.  If your resume lacks flow, then you will be passed over, no matter how good you are. Remember, your resume is a marketing piece that promotes a unique matrix of talents, must have continuity, tell a compelling, persuasive and interesting story, and it must sing — and sing the right tune. Most resumes are “contaminated” by career path aberrations — common issues that can be corrected. The theme can be complex and / or multidisciplined that is understandable, relatable and inviting. The career progression, coupled with an ‘interesting story with a plot’ — a unique combination of marketing and story-telling, catapults a resume above all others.

Does your resume flow?  If you are not sure, why not get a free resume evaluation from the Career Copilot.

Five Tips to Help You through a Career Change

Even in poor economic times, making a career change is possible with the right preparation and dedication. After all, who wants to be stuck in a job with little chance or advancement or that just doesn’t make you happy at the end of the day? For many, a career change can be a risk well worth taking. Here are some tips to help make the transition a little easier for those hoping to go in a new career direction.

1. Have a plan. Just jumping into a career change might sound exciting but it also might cost you your financial security. If you need to go back to school or get additional training this can complicate things further. Be patient and make sure you lay out everything you need to do in order to make your career change as successful as possible.
2. Analyze your decision carefully. Before you decide to abandon one career for another, make sure that your decision is being informed by the right factors. Are you just changing to make more money? Do you really hate your career or just your current position? There are many factors that can lead to job unhappiness that don’t require a total overhaul, so reflect on your situation to make sure you’re making the right choice.
3. Make new connections. Having a strong network can greatly increase your success in finding a position in a new career. Do what you can before you make the switch to meet and build relationships with those already working with companies or in careers like those you want to get into.
4. Learn all you can. Make sure you know what your new career will actually entail before you make the switch. Read about it in books and on the internet, attend conferences and more importantly, talk to those who are currently doing this kind of work to see what they have to say about it. Each career has its pros and cons so just make sure you’re aware of what they are before you leave your present position.
5. Consider taking baby steps. For some, it may be possible to do freelance, part time or side work while still at a current job in order to make the transition easier into a new career. This can be an ideal way to get a feel for what you’ll be doing, and you’ll get practice you can put on your resume to boot.

Making a career change can be hard, but it can also be immensely rewarding if you do it right. No matter what you choose to do, make sure you’re choosing wisely and getting all the information you can before you do anything.

This post was contributed by Megan Jones, who writes about the job search websites. She welcomes your feedback at Meg.Jones0310 at gmail.com

5 mistakes to avoid when Networking

We all know that part of the job search invlolves networking. So how do you master networking and maximize its benefits? If you’re approaching potential contacts in an offhand way, you may be putting them off entirely. Here are five common networking mistakes, read up so you do not make them.

• Do not be unprepared- You should treat networking the same as a job interview. Practice your pitch as well as your answers to questions about your career goals that might arise.  You wouldn’t come unprepared to a job interview. Well, each point of contact with someone professionally is like an interview. If you’ve set up a one-on-one meeting or business lunch, research your contact and her company in advance. This will prepare you to add value to any conversation and be engaging so you don’t come off as a leech.

• Don’t be a Jerk-  While you’re networking, you need to listen to what everyone else is saying. People help by offering advice. They are not interested in hearing how much you already know.  Only contribute to a conversation if you have something valuable and relevant to add.   Do not treat the conversation like it is all about you. Doing so,  says that your either a showoff or uninformed, two things no potential contact will like.

• Don’t be a slob - It is important to look sharp at networking events. Mind your manners, shake hands firmly, stand up straight, make eye contact and show respect in any way you can. A networking event can be a dress rehearsal for a job interview, but no one will help you get your foot in the door if you give the impression that you’ll slouch through it once it’s open. Think that it might be a more casual dress code? Don’t dress down unless you’re 100% certain. Being overdressed is always better than being underdressed. Even if you look a little out of place, you’ll stand out in a good way.

• Don’t be anti-social- Men and women with contacts and power meet many people; they remember only those who stand out from the crowd. Be assertive, and act like a leader. But don’t go overboard. You want to convey self-assurance, not obnoxiousness.

• Don’t think short term- No one likes to be used. Follow up every conversation with a thank-you note, email or call. Let your contact know whether his suggestions panned out or not. When your job search ends – for whatever reason – inform the person who has helped you. Networking never (or at least should never) end. Your paths may cross again. 

There you have it, 5 mistakes to avoid when networking.  Remember, networking is the best way to get a new job, so get out there and meet some people.

Ace the Interview- Hire a career coach

I have been in the recruiting and staffing industry for well over a decade now.

I have personally interviewed thousands of candidates and placed thousands of people into positions in many industries. Throughout these interviews, I have developed a very important skill: I know exactly what interviewers are looking for and what turns them off.

I left the traditional recruiting world several years ago to become a professional resume writer and career coach and now I consult with clients and let them know about these interviewing secrets. I conduct mock interviews and critique everything my clients say and don’t say. The practice interviewers are essential for success and have helped hundreds of people land the job.

Here are some observations that will hopefully help you in your job hunt.

CONFIDENCE: Be confident in your mannerisms and your speech. When you answer questions don’t use the word ‘think.’ For example, do not say “I think I’m good at…..”. Instead, say “I am great at …..”. It’s these little differences between a subpar response, and an excellent response. Companies want to hire people that are confident at demonstrating their skills. “Thinking” you are good at something will not do the trick.
BE POSITIVE: Always be positive, especially when talking about a past employer. I was coaching a very talented and I asked him to tell me why he was looking for a new position. He responded (and this is verbatim):
“I am not happy with the way my is being run company is run and I find it difficult to get along with my boss.”
This is a very negative and the WRONG response. My first thought was maybe he is difficult to work with and/or difficult to manage. It also seems that maybe he is unable to adapt to change.

The better response would have been:
“I am not unhappy in my current role but I am looking to join a company where I have more opportunities to develop. This position interests me because…….”
As you can see, the tone is very different. It is positive and forward looking. I response like this is likely to get you a second interview.
DON’T UNDERSELL YOURSELF: I conducted a mock interview last week with a recruiter who was looking to transition from agency to corporate recruiting. I asked her what her strongest strength was. Her response:
“My knowledge of the Medical industry. I’ve become an expert because I worked on both sides: the agency side and the corporate side. So I have been exposed to both sides of the industry.”
That is a bland response. How about this:
“One of my biggest strengths is my extensive knowledge of the Medical Industry. I’ve honed my expertise from two perspectives: 1 – the agency side and 2 – the corporate side. Because of this unique perspective, I was asked to participate in new hire training for my company that was rolled out nationwide.”
Again subtle nuances will make all the difference.